A tattoo studio based in Holywood, has offered to donate all its takings on Monday, October 17, to the Holywood Steiner School.

The Alternative Ink Tattoo Studio is owned by tattoo artist Shane Sunday, who is also a parent of a child at the school. He hopes his generous offer will help to get the ‘ball rolling’.

“My son has been at the school now since he was six — he’s now eleven — and the school recently had the hall renovated for its 35th anniversary,” said Shane.

“But the budget didn’t quite stretch to curtains, so I thought that it would be a great way to do something concrete. Hopefully other people and parents will be inspired to so do something as well and soon we will have new curtains.”

He added: “I think it is incredibly important that businesses also play a social and community role. While making money is important, it is also just as important that we contribute to the well-being and sustainability of society around us.”

The Holywood Steiner School recently celebrated its 35th anniversary this June. The school is part of the world’s largest international network of schools. There are currently more than 1,000 Steiner-Waldorf schools around the world. The school aims “to provide young people the basis on which to develop into free, morally responsible and integrated individuals, and to help every child fulfil his or her unique destiny.”

Ciaran McElhone, the head of the College of Teachers said: “Parents like Shane are the reason why 35 years since its founding, the school is still a vibrant, exciting and living community.”

“As it receives no state funding, it relies on a range of voluntary activities such as fund-raising, our renowned school festivals, as well as direct hands-on work, like looking after the grounds.

“Along with the money that we get, which is very nice indeed, taking part in the life of the school means that everyone is a part of the highly important work of raising our children.”